Are you wondering what the largest stadiums in the world are? One of the most popular misconceptions that most people have is that stadiums can only be used for sports activities like football, crickets, racing, and a lot of other sports.
Stadiums are not just venues for sporting events or concerts, they are often a symbol of a city’s culture, history, and passion for sports.
They are grand, awe-inspiring structures that can hold thousands if not millions of people. From ancient times to the modern era, humans have been fascinated with building bigger and better stadiums.
Today, we are going to take a look at 10 of the largest stadiums in the world.
These massive structures have hosted some of the most iconic events in history and have become tourist destinations in their own right. And so, without further ado, let us proceed –
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1. Rungrado 1st of May Stadium
- Location – Pyongyang, North Korea
- Capacity – 114,000
- Built In – 1989
With a seating capacity of over One hundred and fourteen thousand (114,000), the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is the largest coliseum in the world.
It is primarily used for national ceremonies and sporting events, including football matches.
The North Korean stadium is named after International Workers’ Day, which is celebrated on May 1st. It was built in 1989 mainly for football matches and other sports events or activities.
The stadium also hosts the annual Mass Games, which is a large-scale performance featuring thousands of participants.
With its impressive size and capacity, the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is a symbol of North Korea’s national pride and serves as an important venue for sporting and cultural events.
2. Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Location – Melbourne, Australia
- Seating Capacity –
- Built In -1853
Second, on our list of the largest stadiums in the world is the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Located in Melbourne, Australia, the stadium has a total capacity of over a hundred thousand.
It is one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues, and also the largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere and regularly hosts cricket and Australian rules football matches.
It was established in 1853 and has since then undergone several renovations, including the addition of a retractable roof.
The MCG has also hosted numerous international sporting events, such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. Its history, size, and importance in Australian sports culture make the Melbourne Cricket Ground a must-visit destination for sports fans from around the world.
3. The Spotify Camp Nou
- Location – Barcelona, Spain:
- Capacity – 99,354.
- Built In – 1957
This is the largest stadium in Europe and the third largest in the world, with a seating capacity of 99,354. It is home to FC Barcelona, one of the most successful football clubs in the world, and was primarily used for football matches.
However, it was not until 2022 that the club began to allow other activities to be allowed in their stadium. The Spotify Camp Nou Stadium has a seating capacity of over 99,000 spectators.
It was originally built in 1957 and has undergone several renovations and upgrades since then, including a major renovation project in the early 2000s.
It is known for its impressive architecture, the incredible atmosphere during games, and the passionate support of Barca fans, who affectionately refer to it as “Camp Nou”, before its name change to Spotify Camp Nou.
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4. FNB Stadium
- Location – Johannesburg, South Africa
- Capacity – 94,736
- Built In – 2010
Fourth on our list is the FNB Stadium, also known as Soccer City, which is a world-renowned stadium located in Johannesburg, South Africa.
It was one of the football stadiums that were constructed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and is the largest stadium in Africa, with a capacity of 94,736.
The stadium has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the 2010 World Cup opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the final match between Spain and the Netherlands.
It has also been the venue for major concerts and political events, including the memorial service for Nelson Mandela. The FNB Stadium is an iconic landmark of South Africa and a testament to the country’s passion for sports and unity.
5. Wembley Stadium
- Location – London, England
- Capacity – 90,000
- Built In – 2007
Wembley Stadium is an iconic stadium located in Wembley, London.
Opened in 2007 and with a capacity of over 90,000, the stadium is the home of the England national football team and has played host to several major sporting events such as the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup Final, the EFL Cup Final, and NFL games.
Wembley Stadium has also been the venue for major music concerts, including performances by the likes of Beyonce, Adele, and Ed Sheeran. With its distinctive arch and state-of-the-art facilities, Wembley Stadium is a symbol of English football and an important landmark in London’s sporting history.
6. Rose Bowl Stadium
- Location – Pasadena, California, USA
- Capacity – 90, 888
- Built In – 1922
Sixth on our list is the Rose Bowl Stadium. It is a historic sports venue located in Pasadena, California, USA. It was opened in 1922 and has a seating capacity of 90,888, making it one of the largest stadiums in the United States.
The stadium is famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl Game, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious college football bowl games in the country.
The Rose Bowl Stadium has also hosted numerous high-profile events, including the 1994 FIFA World Cup Final and multiple Super Bowl games. With its iconic architecture and rich history, the Rose Bowl Stadium is a beloved landmark of American sports culture.
7. Bukit Jalil National Stadium
- Location – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Capacity – 87, 411
- Built In – 1998
Bukit Jalil National Stadium is a premier sports venue located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was opened in 1998 and has a seating capacity of 87,411, making it the largest stadium in Southeast Asia.
The stadium has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.
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It is the home stadium of the Malaysian national football team and has also been used for major concerts by artists such as Coldplay, U2, and Taylor Swift. Bukit Jalil National Stadium is a testament to Malaysia’s commitment to sports and entertainment and an important landmark in the country’s sporting history.
8. Salt Lake Stadium
- Location – Kolkata, India
- Capacity – 85,000
- Built In – 1984
An important landmark in the city of Kolkata, the Salt Lake Stadium, officially known as Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Kolkata, India.
It is the eighth-largest stadium in the world right now, the third in India, and has a capacity of over 85,000. The Salt Lake Stadium was built in 1984 to host the Jawaharlal Nehru Gold Cup football tournament.
The stadium is named after the famous Indian philosopher and spiritual leader, Swami Vivekananda, and the Bengali word “Yuba Bharati Krirangan” means “Youth Unity Stadium”.
Since it was built it has been used as the home ground of the Indian national football team, as well as several local football clubs, including ATK Mohun Bagan, East Bengal FC, and Mohammedan Sporting Club.
The stadium has also hosted numerous international sports events, such as the South Asian Games, the Nehru Cup, and the Federation Cup.
9. Signal Iduna Park
- Location – Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Capacity – 81, 365
- Built In – 1974
Ninth on our list is the Signal Iduna Park, which was formerly known as the Westfalenstadion.
It is a stadium located in Dortmund, Germany, and was opened in 1974. It currently has a capacity of over 81,365, making it the largest stadium in Germany and one of the largest in Europe.
The stadium is the home of the Borussia Dortmund football club and is known for its passionate fan base, who create a vibrant atmosphere during matches for Borrusia Dortmund, and the German National Team.
Signal Iduna Park has several major events, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2001 UEFA Cup Final.
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10. Santiago Bernabeu
- Location – Madrid, Spain
- Capacity – 81,000
- Built In – 1947
Last on our list of the largest stadiums in the world is the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Stadium is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world and is located in Madrid, Spain. It is the home stadium of Real Madrid, one of the most successful football clubs in history.
The stadium was inaugurated in 1947 and has since undergone several renovations and expansions, including the just-concluded renovation in 2021.
The stadium has a capacity of over 81,000 and it is named after Santiago Bernabeu, a former Real Madrid player, coach, and who later went on to become the president of the club.
And as like most of the other football stadiums on this list, the Santiago Bernabeu has hosted several international tournaments including the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA World Cup.
In Conclusion
These are the 10 largest football stadiums in the world and we are waiting to see if any of the new stadiums in development would have the capacity and space that qualifies them for this list. Do well to leverage the information we have provided in this article.